Jan 1, 2018, 1:26 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
The 2019 Newbie Lounge thread can be found here.
Q. How can I find information more easily than reading through all the threads? Now that I'm here, what do I do next?
Check out the following resources:
Searching can be key to finding important information and answers without waiting for someone to drop by and answer, and it helps prevent that information fragmentation. FlyerTalk Advanced Search can seem quirky to the infrequent user, but it's fairly powerful if one knows how to use it. There are several ways to search:
Forum basics: Now that the new AA has become by some measures "the world's largest airline", this new, combined has become a "mega-forum", very large, very active - and theoretically very difficult to find information and easy to lose one's place. Having to search for and sort through dozens - or more - of threads on baggage, airports, minimum connect times or the like could soon become unproductive and discouraging.
To prevent this from occurring, please note we try to:
Keep a few "sticky" threads: such as GUIDE posts, OSO / IROPS, etc. for urgent and quick reference, such as basic "where do I find" reasons
Keep threads to specific topics: Prevent information fragmentation and loss by consolidating questions, answers and discussion of one topic contained in one thread. (This also honors those members who have already shared valuable information and experiences.)
"Popular" threads are likely to have a Wikipost at the head that will summarize important information and have resource links. These are "community property", and as any wiki are established, maintained and updated by the members (with 90 days of tenure and 90 posts on FlyerTalk).
You may find your question or post merged into one of those threads. Be sure that we will leave a link behind from your original thread, and to look up to see if there's a wiki with information. We apologize for any possible inconvenience or difference between this forum and others, but we think you'll like some of the resources and tools here to enable more convenient, comfortable travel on AA and greater knowledge sharing.
Keep it welcoming: We're proud the members of both FFPs have kept the brickbats to a minimum; we want this forum to be welcoming, civil and information rich, so name calling (including calling a member one disagrees with "AApologist") and snark are not tolerated. Posts with such are likely to be summarily deleted in their entirety; repeated such behavior may result in suspension of one's membership privileges or being banned from this forum. Let's keep it friendly and in accordance with the FT Rules.
FlyerTalk Rules (We all agree to abide by these, and are held accountable.) NOTE: The 2016 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
NOTE: The 2017 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
Welcome to the 2018 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to Flyertalk!
The Newbie Lounge is a place for newer and less experienced members to ask their questions about American Airlines and the AAdvantage program and have answered by our more experienced and knowledgeable members. Feel free to ask any question related to American Airlines and AAdvantage here.
NOTE: This is a "flame free" thread; flaming, personal criticism for "failing to search" etc. is not allowed (if posted, the post will be summarily deleted, the poster subject to sanctions).
Advanced questions posed by veteran FT users may be moved and / or merged into existing master or GUIDE threads, most of which have Wikiposts at the top of the page that contain summaries of important information.
We volunteer Moderators monitor this "lounge" thread to assist you as well. When browsing the fora, look at the page tops of the various forums. There will be a menu, and often "sticky" threads, and threads with header "wiki posts" (created and maintained by the FlyerTalk community) with important information relating to that forum / topic.
Don't hesitate to contact a moderator or another member if you have any additional questions. You can PM the Moderators by clicking on
, which pops up a message box; the message goes to all this forum's Moderators. Note that unlike some sites with paid staff moderators, FlyerTalk Moderators are volunteers, and most work, travel, go on holiday, etc. You can Private Message us using the PM system (My Flyertalk) and our handles.
We're glad you've chosen to join the Flyertalk frequent flyer community!
Your American Airlines | AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team,
AZ Travels the World, aztimm, dstan, JDiver, JY1024, Microwave
(Our thanks to thread founder / "plank owner" HNL.)
The Newbie Lounge is a place for newer and less experienced members to ask their questions about American Airlines and the AAdvantage program and have answered by our more experienced and knowledgeable members. Feel free to ask any question related to American Airlines and AAdvantage here.
NOTE: This is a "flame free" thread; flaming, personal criticism for "failing to search" etc. is not allowed (if posted, the post will be summarily deleted, the poster subject to sanctions).
Advanced questions posed by veteran FT users may be moved and / or merged into existing master or GUIDE threads, most of which have Wikiposts at the top of the page that contain summaries of important information.
We volunteer Moderators monitor this "lounge" thread to assist you as well. When browsing the fora, look at the page tops of the various forums. There will be a menu, and often "sticky" threads, and threads with header "wiki posts" (created and maintained by the FlyerTalk community) with important information relating to that forum / topic.
Don't hesitate to contact a moderator or another member if you have any additional questions. You can PM the Moderators by clicking on
, which pops up a message box; the message goes to all this forum's Moderators. Note that unlike some sites with paid staff moderators, FlyerTalk Moderators are volunteers, and most work, travel, go on holiday, etc. You can Private Message us using the PM system (My Flyertalk) and our handles.We're glad you've chosen to join the Flyertalk frequent flyer community!
Your American Airlines | AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team,
AZ Travels the World, aztimm, dstan, JDiver, JY1024, Microwave
(Our thanks to thread founder / "plank owner" HNL.)
Check out the following resources:
- GUIDE: FT - AA Forum, LOUNGE DASHBOARD and OSO / IRROPS (Links to most important threads, "Help Desk" assistance threads, the thread with resources for off-schedule operations / irregular operations (including links to AA weather policy and tools), hub airport threads, AA lounge Dashboard for all lounges and lounge related issues.)
- FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first! (Our FAQ were originally written for the pre-merger AA forum, but there's still a lot of useful information there.)
- New and uncertain where to start here, and it's about American Airlines? Start in our "NEWBIE LOUNGE" thread, here: link.
- Do you have questions about other travel related issues that do not pertain to AA and are unsure where to start? Visit our Information Desk Forum here: U]link. [/U]
- Especially useful to new members: FAQs (How to post like a pro and more)
- The NEW FlyerTalk: Helpful Hints, Tips and Suggestions to Enhance Your Experience (Information Desk Forum)
- FlyerTalk Glossary (What is all this jargon?)
- Airport Code Guide (How do I decode an airport code / find one for a city?)
Searching can be key to finding important information and answers without waiting for someone to drop by and answer, and it helps prevent that information fragmentation. FlyerTalk Advanced Search can seem quirky to the infrequent user, but it's fairly powerful if one knows how to use it. There are several ways to search:
- Canarsie's Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread has relocated to the Information Desk Forum; it can be found there.
- One can search FlyerTalk with Google with this web form.
- Or, if you are used to Google search, use Google Advanced Search and insert www.flyertalk.com in the "site or domain" box.
Forum basics: Now that the new AA has become by some measures "the world's largest airline", this new, combined has become a "mega-forum", very large, very active - and theoretically very difficult to find information and easy to lose one's place. Having to search for and sort through dozens - or more - of threads on baggage, airports, minimum connect times or the like could soon become unproductive and discouraging.
To prevent this from occurring, please note we try to:
Keep a few "sticky" threads: such as GUIDE posts, OSO / IROPS, etc. for urgent and quick reference, such as basic "where do I find" reasons
Keep threads to specific topics: Prevent information fragmentation and loss by consolidating questions, answers and discussion of one topic contained in one thread. (This also honors those members who have already shared valuable information and experiences.)
"Popular" threads are likely to have a Wikipost at the head that will summarize important information and have resource links. These are "community property", and as any wiki are established, maintained and updated by the members (with 90 days of tenure and 90 posts on FlyerTalk).
You may find your question or post merged into one of those threads. Be sure that we will leave a link behind from your original thread, and to look up to see if there's a wiki with information. We apologize for any possible inconvenience or difference between this forum and others, but we think you'll like some of the resources and tools here to enable more convenient, comfortable travel on AA and greater knowledge sharing.
Keep it welcoming: We're proud the members of both FFPs have kept the brickbats to a minimum; we want this forum to be welcoming, civil and information rich, so name calling (including calling a member one disagrees with "AApologist") and snark are not tolerated. Posts with such are likely to be summarily deleted in their entirety; repeated such behavior may result in suspension of one's membership privileges or being banned from this forum. Let's keep it friendly and in accordance with the FT Rules.
FlyerTalk Rules (We all agree to abide by these, and are held accountable.)
NOTE: The 2017 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
ARCHIVE: 2018 NEWBIE LOUNGE Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Dec 12, 2018, 9:50 am
#1981
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
If I have an existing AAdvantage itinerary being JFK-GIG and GRU-JFK, can I add a flight to this between GIG and GRU (well, really, SDU and CGH, the cities' respective domestic airports)? Since I'm not getting any mileage refund, there shouldn't be a refund fee, right? I'm not sure if there would be a change fee since the original flights are not changing.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ancel-etc.html, particularly the Wikipost at the top of the page.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 12, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Dec 12, 2018, 11:44 am
#1982
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
In order to change the origin or destination, it would need to be cancelled and reissued. Your award is JFK-GIG, not JFK-GRU. Since all awards are one way only you technically would only be risking one of the two flights, but you can probably just find a cash flight for the same price as reissuing the award.
Dec 13, 2018, 6:51 am
#1983
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
Not sure it's an entirely newbie question but here it is. If I do an award booking for a family relative and I am on a cash ticket for a larger itinerary, can I ask to have the two tickets linked to be able to select seats for the family relative and seat together on that segment? Can the linking be done on several segments against different one way award?
Dec 13, 2018, 7:04 am
#1984
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Not sure it's an entirely newbie question but here it is. If I do an award booking for a family relative and I am on a cash ticket for a larger itinerary, can I ask to have the two tickets linked to be able to select seats for the family relative and seat together on that segment? Can the linking be done on several segments against different one way award?
Dec 13, 2018, 7:42 am
#1985
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
American Cracking Down on Award Availability Trick (and Gutting Free Elite Changes)
by Gary Leff on December 11, 2018 link to this article
Now, however, if the flights I want to add aren’t available as part of the married itinerary American won’t let me add them to what’s already booked. The award change flexibility afforded top elites essentially goes out the window.
Dec 13, 2018, 8:35 am
#1986
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
booking AA flight from foreign site rather than my home site
Hello, prob should have put this question here rather than starting a new post.
<redacted> by Moderator
Cheers
NEN
<redacted> by Moderator
Cheers
NEN
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 13, 2018 at 8:43 am Reason: Cross posted, and OPs thread has been replied to
Dec 13, 2018, 9:01 am
#1987
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Apparently, it is becoming more difficult to do this than previously under some circumstances, with married segment logic and AA enforcement.
American Cracking Down on Award Availability Trick (and Gutting Free Elite Changes)
by Gary Leff on December 11, 2018 link to this article
If the changes fall afoul of married segment technology or the use of co-terminals is considered, ouch.
American Cracking Down on Award Availability Trick (and Gutting Free Elite Changes)
by Gary Leff on December 11, 2018 link to this article
If the changes fall afoul of married segment technology or the use of co-terminals is considered, ouch.
I guess, in other words, does married segments logic really limit available routings between city pairs to particular flights, which seems to have to be the case for it to be impossible to remove and to add segments to an itinerary?
Dec 13, 2018, 10:46 am
#1988
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: NC
Programs: AA, Marriott/SPG, AMEX
Posts: 272
I just booked a paid RT with booking code I from GSO to AMS for this summer, how long will it take for BA to respond for the 2 segments we will fly with them?
Dec 13, 2018, 10:56 am
#1989
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Dec 13, 2018, 11:10 am
#1990
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: NC
Programs: AA, Marriott/SPG, AMEX
Posts: 272
Dec 13, 2018, 11:34 am
#1991
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Dec 14, 2018, 9:12 am
#1992
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 5
I flew last Sunday with Cathay Pacific from CKG -> HKG -> NRT and the miles still haven't been posted on my account. Will I receive miles for this flight? I called and requested the miles on the AA line. If understand correctly, since this is a Cathay Pacific flight number and has the 'H' code, I should receive 0.5 EQM. According to Webflyer, this route should net me about 1925 miles. Can someone confirm this for me?
Dec 14, 2018, 9:44 am
#1993
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
I flew last Sunday with Cathay Pacific from CKG -> HKG -> NRT and the miles still haven't been posted on my account. Will I receive miles for this flight? I called and requested the miles on the AA line. If understand correctly, since this is a Cathay Pacific flight number and has the 'H' code, I should receive 0.5 EQM. According to Webflyer, this route should net me about 1925 miles. Can someone confirm this for me?
Dec 14, 2018, 3:54 pm
#1994
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 229
When a companion has a different status, even on the same PNR, it will clear by the list order unless you speak to an agent. You need to have them basically remove your partner's AA # from the record, then re-request their upgrade, which will now be tied to your PLT status. Then they add back their AA#. In order for this to work, and for your companion to piggyback off your higher status, all upgrade stickers must come from your account.
I'm EXP and my girlfriend is PLT, we go through this exercise a lot.
I'm EXP and my girlfriend is PLT, we go through this exercise a lot.
Gate agent absolutely did not want to hear it, so will send a note to AA, see what they say. Frustrating, but far from the end of the world.
My own fault for not acting on advice.
Dec 15, 2018, 9:37 am
#1995
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA
Posts: 22
Does AA not have any Business MileSaver availability to Europe in September? I'm trying to take my wife to Switzerland in Business Class. I'm really willing to go through any US gateway city to most European gateways (will just take train or cheap euro carrier from there to ZHR) but AA is forcing the BA nonsense with the $$$$ fuel surcharge fees for premium cabins. All the AA flights are requiring AAnytime mile rates.